About Us

Sako Yakinian; founder and owner of No Limit Personal Training. Sako started No Limit Personal Training in 2008 by offering group classes at a public park. When classes became increasingly popular, he moved No Limit to it’s official home; 980 South Via Rodeo, a 5,000 foot warehouse that houses top of the line training equipment and the industry’s best coaches and trainers.

Sako has always been fueled to provide the best services to the community for one main reason; the sincere love of helping others be the best version of themselves. Sako believes that with the right mindset, discipline and work ethic, anything is possible.

Sako is certified through National Council for Certified Personal Trainers (NCCPT), International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) and CPR/AED. In addition to Sako’s already long list of accomplishments, he was recently named an Ambassador for Lululemon Athletica.

It’s one thing to talk the talk of living a healthy lifestyle but it’s a whole other thing to actually walk the walk and carry out the actions that make a person great, on a day to day basis. This is something Sako takes great pride and humility in-which is what has made No Limit’s success a living, breathing family.

Briana Takanabe has been helping people realize their fitness goals for the past 8 years. With a lifelong enthusiasm for fitness, she became a trainer to help improve the lives of others. Trading in volleyball for Muay Thai after high school, she got hooked on the world of martial arts. Over the years working with different coaches and sensei, she now wants to share the benefits of MMA training and shatter the assumption that MMA training is just for fighters. This extra knowledge and expertise adds a fun and unique twist to workouts whether it’s for weight loss, improved conditioning, or just an excuse to hit things. One of the most important things to her is not just to help one reach their physical goals, but to help them gain the confidence to do so. She strongly believes that in order to achieve maximum results one must do the things they don’t want to do. Briana is a Certified Fitness Trainer with NESTA and a Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning Coach with the MMACA.

Jeff has been involved in the world of coaching since 2010. A passion for strength and conditioning that flourished as a Division 1 college baseball player originally began as a struggle to maintain a healthy body weight as a youth. After multiple injuries that resulted in reconstructive elbow surgery to save his baseball career, Jeff ultimately graduated from Concordia University, Irvine with a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise and Sport Science with an emphasis in Rehabilitation. With his original plan being to become a physical therapist, before joining the NLPT team Jeff worked for 4 years under the tutelage of many great therapists at CATZ (Competitive Athlete Training Zone) as well as served as the Director of Sports Performance where he worked with athletes of all ages/sports and coached adult group classes. As a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and Precision Nutrition Level 1 (Pn1) Certified Coach, Jeff loves to combine the aspects of strength training, recovery, and nutrition in an effort to deliver the best possible coaching service to all members of the NLPT family. Outside of his time at NLPT, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Charlotte, training, listening to podcasts, and reading.

Mellissa brings the energy, knowledge, and dedication that is required to help her own clients achieve success every day. She is a certified group trainer as well as a functional training and strength coach. She prides herself in working with men and women of all fitness levels. Mellissa began her own fitness journey in 2013 when she struggled with obesity and lack of motivation. Her own personal success is what led her into her passion for the success of others.

Mariah found her love for health and fitness at the age of 15 years old. She saw the importance of proper nutrition and daily exercise and from there a passion grew. Mariah has a heart for encouraging people to see their struggles as an opportunity to become a stronger, better version of themselves. Through personal experience Mariah has learned that overcoming even the toughest of battles is only possible by the love and support of those around her. Mariah’s aim is to pour out that love and support over the No Limit Family and encourage all those she meets to reach their goals.

Group Training Coach

My passion for fitness began at the age of 5 when I started competitively dancing. The years following included joining basketball teams, cross country races and finding a love for track and field. In college, I trained and competed in almost all field and sprint events including the triple, long jump, hurdles, and heptathlon events. In the spring of 2016, I had the opportunity to coach for Brea Olinda high school’s track team, winning that season. I currently teach soccer to young children but love helping every person I meet to reach their fitness goals! I’ve been a personal trainer for over 4 years now and have my BS in Kinesiology from California Baptist University. I also hold a Corrective Exercise Specialist certification through NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine).

United States Navy veteran, James Steele, has always been passionate about serving others. After realizing his love for physical fitness in high school, James went on to earn his BA in Physical Education from California State, Dominguez Hills in May 2018. Over the years, James has had the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients in a variety of avenues, reach their fitness and nutrition goals.

Christian is motivated by the success of his clients. He is passionate for helping people set an unthinkable goal, and then absolutely crushing that goal. Health and fitness is just one aspect of our lives, but believing in yourself and relentlessly pursuing your goal will bring you success in anything you do. Christian received his BS in Kinesiology from the University of La Verne. He played football at La Verne and shortly after became the assistant strength and conditioning coach working with all sports. He is currently pursuing his master's degree in coaching and athletic administration. Christian has been personal training since 2008 and has been a strength and conditioning coach since 2013. He is a certified strength and conditioning coach through the NSCA. He is married to his beautiful wife Alyssa Lozon, who you can find doing boot camps in the early am.

Group Training Coach. Randy has been in the fitness industry for over 6 years. Growing up playing sports, he loved to train hard and knew this was what he wanted to do with his life. He’s worked with all types of clients and has a broad range of experience. He’s a big believer in functional training, and likes to create workouts that challenge the body and the mind. He is a CSCS through NSCA and also works as a strength and conditioning coach with a highschool.

Lisa has a passion for fitness with boundless energy to share that passion with others. She has been a competitive runner for over 30 years, competing in 5k’s, 10k’s and marathons including LA, Boston, New York and St. George, Utah. Lisa has also competed in olympic distance and sprint triathlons. She is a running and conditioning coach at one of the local high schools. It is Lisa’s desire to inspire and teach clients to make educated decisions about eating for nutritional value and health, exercise for optimal fitness and make lifestyle changes that support long term wellness. Lisa’s enthusiasm for fitness and health led her to seek and acquire a Personal Trainer Certification, she is certified through AFAA and is first aid/CPR/AED certified.

Kristen grew up playing soccer throughout her childhood into college. Soon after she traded her love for soccer into helping others. She has found this through fitness. She is one of our newest group fitness trainers and is dedicated to helping others transform through strength training. She started as a member which allows her to bring a unique perspective to her classes. Kristen is excited to deliver you high-intensity circuit work that is very functional along with some of the classic weightlifting movements.